Sloan’s Chris Murphy is gearing up for an exciting musical adventure, joining an R.E.M. tribute band led by actor Michael Shannon for a tour across the UK and Ireland. Despite his usual focus on Canadian hits like “Money City Maniacs” with Sloan, Murphy is now diving into American rock classics, preparing to perform around two hours of R.E.M. music with just one rehearsal beforehand. While feeling a bit nervous, Murphy is looking forward to the challenge and the fun it will bring.
Having previously toured with groups like Trans-Canada Highwaymen, where he played Canadian classics, Murphy acknowledges the different level of preparation required for this tribute band. Typically known for his drumming skills, Murphy will now be handling bass duties in the R.E.M. tribute shows alongside musicians Michael Shannon and Jason Narducy, as the group pays homage to R.E.M.’s 1986 album, “Lifes Rich Pageant,” and other hits from the band’s repertoire.
Shannon, recognized for his acting talents with two Academy Award nominations, has been collaborating with Narducy for over a decade, delving into various artists’ albums. The upcoming tour evolved from a successful R.E.M. tribute show in Chicago, eventually leading to a full-fledged tour. Murphy, excited to be a part of this project, sees it as a nod of approval from R.E.M., a band he deeply respects and admires for their business ethos and coolness factor.
Despite the irony of playing R.E.M. songs while his bandmate Jay Ferguson is a huge R.E.M. fan, Murphy is embracing the unique opportunity. With Ferguson coincidentally in London during the tour, Murphy humorously envisions a musical rivalry with Ferguson forming a U2 cover band in Athens, Georgia, counteracting Murphy’s R.E.M. tribute band journey to Dublin, Ireland.